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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RAS0t6BbRKL8nuTeafv/6oXqryVRN5KLJ6SbOCYY3RiZKv8NiODjSiyN4ILsHsGl
 kJuL81UjoCNXMuToR59BPQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000914122-05-000013.txt : 20050118
<SEC-HEADER>0000914122-05-000013.hdr.sgml : 20050117
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050118095505
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000914122-05-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050114
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050118
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050118

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAUTNER BRADLEY E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001244981

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18370
		FILM NUMBER:		05532283

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7720 N LEHIGH AVE
		CITY:			NILES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60714

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MFRI INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000914122
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL FANS & BLOWERS & AIR PURIFYING EQUIP [3564]
		IRS NUMBER:				363922969
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7720 LEHIGH AVE
		CITY:			NILES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60714
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8479661000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7720 LEHIGH AVE
		CITY:			NILES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60714

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MIDWESCO FILTER RESOURCES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970402
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4bmautner5_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000914122</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MFRI INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MFRI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001244981</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MAUTNER BRADLEY E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7720 N LEHIGH AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NILES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60714</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>MFRI Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3925</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>3.12</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>MFRI Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1925</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.80</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>MFRI Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>156205</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bradley E Mautner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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